Because the law encourages courts to hand class action work to firms with the biggest clients, lawyers are in an arms race to line up suit-happy state, local and union pension funds.
"The car industry has been driving negotiations all along and European Union politicians have been happy to sit in the passenger seat making comments about the scenery, " said Franziska Achterberg, the pressure group's EU transport policy campaigner.
The trade union Unison said it "was not happy" about further job losses but it was in contact with the council to look at alternative ways to make savings.